Raiders Week 1: Fantasy Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em

Raiders Week 1: Fantasy Start ‘Em or Sit ‘Em

Take a deep breath, exhale— Okay, it’s time to officially get excited for some fantasy football. If you’re currently rostering a Raiders you might want to temper that excitement a little bit for week one with The Rams in town.

The Rams are a tough matchup for basically every opposing fantasy team this season. They stop the run with Ndamukong Suh and Aaron Donald up front, followed by stout pass defense on the backend loaded with talent.

Luckily for Raiders fantasy owners, it’s week one, anything’s possible and the Raiders will be playing in front of a rowdy Oakland Coliseum on Jon Gruden’s debut part two. There isn’t much doubt the once-touted offensive guru, Ole’ Chucky has something up his sleeve to create some pop on offense.

Derek Carr: Start

After a rough season last year it’s easy to forget Derek Carr was a fantasy stud in 2016, and now with an offensive minded coach in charge, Carr should be in-line for a bounce back. Most likely Carr is your QB two heading into week one of your fantasy football season, but if needed Carr is a startable option week one vs LA.

If the Raiders plan on keeping this game close, they’ll need to rely on the arm of Carr, but if the Rams go up early, potentially by two scores, even better for Carr owners. Carr could be in-line for primetime garbage time vs the Rams, hopefully throwing the ball at a prolific rate.

Stat Projection: 279 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception

Yahoo Standard Fantasy League Point Total: 18.16 PTS

Marshawn Lynch: Sit

Remember what I said earlier about Donald and Suh? Well yeah, that’s about all there is to say. Lynch looked spry in his one preseason run, but this is an awful matchup vs the Rams. Jon Gruden mentioned how it was virtually impossible to run against this defensive line.

Lynch is touchdown dependent at best in week one. Maybe later in the season when we see how Gruden’s offense shakes out we will have a better idea on how to use Lynch, but for now, take advice from the Raiders head coach himself, sit Beastmode.

Stat Projection: 12 carries, 43 yards, and 0 catches

Yahoo Standard Fantasy League Point Total: 4.3 PTS

Amari Cooper: Start

After a letdown season of his own, Amari Cooper took a tumble down fantasy draft boards— Good for Cooper stans. Personally, Cooper is someone I’m very high on and expecting big things from in 2018. If I’m right, it starts Monday night vs the Rams.

The Rams do have a scary secondary, but Cooper has all the skills to be a legit number one receiver and with Gruden designing the plays there are some positives for starting Cooper. Especially if they use him out of the slot, a place where Cooper excels.

Stat Projection: 7 catches, 117 yards & 0 touchdowns.

Yahoo Standard Fantasy League Point Total: 11.7 points

Yahoo 0.5 point PPR Yahoo Fantasy League Point Total: 15.2 points

Streamer – Daily Fantasy Pick: Jalen Richard

All of us at the Raiders Wire hope to see a bigger role for Richard out the backfield in 2018. With DeAndre Washington missing week one and Doug Martin looking just okay, expect Richard to be the guy after Lynch. Backing up Lynch shouldn’t be Richard’s only responsibility Monday night.

Expect Richard to be the guy out of the backfield and the passing game. After if Carr is in-line to have a big garbage time style game, Richard will be the guy eating up all the check-downs. We could even see Richard lineup in the slot with the Raiders light at that position.